The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-10-01

Leroy JudknS, Athens
Charles w. Wilson, Bangor.
Josiah ID. Foss, Augusta.
Robert Cochran, Oakland.
No Truth In the TaIo of the Tomb
Dissertation.
The story that the head of Washington
was stolen from Mount Vernon and carried
to Paris by curiosity hunters is pronounced
by DR.. G. M. Toner as an unqualified false
hood.
The remains of Washington were removed
from the old and original coffin about fifty
years ago and placed in the marble sarco-
phagus made for that purpose, which was
not only to keep out the air but so construc-
ted and fastened that it would be next to i'm
possible for anybody TO violate the sanctity
of the seals without having uninterrupted
access to them for many hours.
When the remains were transferred from
the old coffin to the marble receptacle many
members of the Washington family were
present, with persons of prominence, and
they all certified to the fact that the skeleton
was all intact. After the sarcophagus was
put in its place the non grated door was
locked and the key thrown into the Potomac.
The old lock is still in good preservation and
has never been tampered with.
During the Rebellion the grounds at Mount
Vernon were held sacred and the hand of
the vandal was never known to have desc
Grated any part of the tomb or its surround
ing.
The last resting place of Washington has
been vigilantly watched ever since the pres
ent tomb was erected. Though some dis
tance from the mansion, every device known
has been used for many years to alarm the
superintendent of the grounds. Now cleo
trio wires communicate with the house,
making it impossible for any one to even at
tempt TO open the IRON doors.
The story, therefore, that the skull of
Washington was ever removed or even pro-
famed by the touch ST yandals, Dr. Toner
says, is utterly without foundation. In 1S49
the washington heirs loaned to Mr.. Clark
Mills the original cast of Washington's face,
made during life by the celebrated sculptor
place copy, which Mr.. Mills claimed was in
better condition that the original, was sent
to the Mount Vernon mansion. 1t sub
seqnently passed into the possession of Mr..
Mcdonald. the sculptor, and is supposed to
rife for time as to who had the original. 1t
was not however, stolen, and is probably
still in New York.
Estimates for the Armored Ship.
The Naval Board which was appointed to
estimate the cost of building their six thous-
and ton armored battle ship designed by the
Barrow Ship Building Company, of Eng
land, held final meeting today and COM
pleted its labors. The last estimates for
constructing the hull and fittings are $780,
900, and for engines and machinery 1886, 200,
making total of So, 376, 900. which is $124,-
COO less than the sum appropriated by Con-
gress for the purpose
The report of the Board has been present
ed to Secretary Whitney. Some slight alter
ations in the original plans are suggested,
but they are not radical. The vessel is to
tuif
draft intended for speed of Is knots, The
estimates include full equipment, such as
rigging, sails, anchors, etc. The most i'm
portant recommendation is that the vessel Re
generally believed that the New York Navy
Yard would be selected for the work, but
this recommendation, if approved by the
| Secretary, will probably result in the build
ing OF the six thousand ton armored cruiser
designed by the Navy Department. in
| stead Of the battle ship, at the New York
| yard. 1t is believed that it will take eigh-
| teen months to build the vessel at Norfolk
| The allowance of $4,000 which was made
for the purchase Of new plant for this yard
is not large enough by about. $4,000 for a
complete equipment, but by the use of tenn
| porary sheds it is believed that the work of
constructing the great ship can be carried on
until Congress provides for the erection of
| suitable permanent shops. The construc-
| ton work will be under the Immediate Gi-
10.
| the machine and engine work under that of
| Chief Engineer Robey, who will relieve
| Chief Engineer Hibbard, the present engi-
neering officer of the Norfolk Navy Yard.
Maine Postal Changes.
The following change in the Star postal
service in Maine is announced:
Route 255-Jefferson to Gardiner From Sept,
20, 1887, decrease distance three-eights of mile
caused by the discontinuance of the post office at
| Pleasant Pond
Bond Purchased Yesterday.
The amount Of bonds offered today was
$57, 100 less than any day since the daily pur.
chase began. The fact is regarded as indi.
eating that the government has secured all
| the floating bonds that can be obtained at
| the rates fixed, and that the stringency iI
the money market is sufficiently relieved.
Cause Of the Outbreak of CoIorow
| Gen. Crook has made TO the Interior De
partment an elaborate report of the recen
trouble in Colorado with Colorow's band
| He lays the blame upon Game Warden Bur
| gett, Sheriff Kendall, their posse and th,
| militia. He declares the trouble originated
from the fact that the whites buy horses o.
Indians, and then cheat the latter out of the
money by gambling tricks.
Famous Decision Reversed.
The Secretary of the Interior today re
versed the decision Of the commissioner o
the general land Office of February, 1886, il
the case of Donald McRae VS.. Northern Pa
cifc Railroad. The question is whether tn
Northern Pacific has grant of lands fror
at or near Portland, Oregon, to Puget Sound
Washington Territory, distance of 40
miles. The commissioner found no grant
The secretary finds that joint resolution O
Congress. approved May 81, 1870, made
grant of land between said points. Their
are said to be about 1,500, 900 acres involved
A Thick-Headed German.
The fact that the United States govern
ment is calling in bonds and redeeming ther
has attracted some attention abroad. Their
has been received at the Treasury Depart
ment quite a novel communication from
German capitalist in Berlin. He states tina
he has in his possession large number @
bonds issued by the Confederate States Q
America, and, after much persuasion by hi
friends, he has consented to offer S1,0O
worth of them for redemption.
"HorIzontaI" Bill Morrison Gets
Pension.
Interstate Commerce Commissioner MOI
rison has been granted pension of $12
month as a soldier Of the Mexican war.
Public Debt.
1t is estimated that the reduction of th
| puhlin dah+ in Captamhar yvog g1R Sn0 O0Q